Want to add some sparkle and pizzazz to your wardrobe? Learning how to bedazzle clothes can be daunting, but with a little know-how and the right materials, you can bedazzle with the best of them.
Find out everything you need to know about bedazzling clothes right here, including how to choose the best clothing items, pick the right rhinestones, and collect helpful tools so you can create gorgeous designs that last.
Table of Contents
- Choosing the Right Clothes and Rhinestones for Your Project
- Essential Tools and Supplies for Bedazzling Clothes
- Step-by-Step Process for Bedazzling Any Garment
- Popular Clothing Items To Bedazzle
- Design Ideas and Placement Tips
Choosing the Right Clothes and Rhinestones for Your Project
To create beautiful bedazzled clothes, you have to start with the right materials. Certain fabrics work better than others for bedazzling, and you also need to choose the best rhinestones for your project.
Best Fabrics
The ideal fabrics for bedazzling have a rough texture that’s thick enough for the glue to fuse firmly. Many synthetic fabrics, such as nylon or spandex, are difficult to bedazzle. They’re slippery, so the glue can’t adhere properly. It is possible to bedazzle these materials; you just need to be more precise and attentive with your glue application.
The best fabrics to use for bedazzling include:
- Denim
- Cotton
- Leather
- Canvas
- Velvet
- Twill
- Tweed
- Suede
These materials can handle the weight of crystals and hold onto glue well.
If it’s your first time bedazzling clothes, start with items you don’t care about. Nailing your bedazzled look can take some practice. Hone your skills on inexpensive thrifted clothes or old items.
Rhinestone Types
You have a few options for rhinestones, including flatback rhinestones, hotfix rhinestones, crystal rhinestones, and acrylic rhinestones.
- Hotfix rhinestones have built-in adhesive on the back, so you don’t need additional glue. When you apply heat, the glue on the back of the rhinestone melts, adhering the crystal to the fabric.
- Flatback rhinestones don’t have built-in adhesive, so you need to use glue to secure them. However, you do not need any heat tools.
- Crystal rhinestones offer premium sparkle and shine, making them wonderful for creating glittery clothes.
- Acrylic rhinestones are usually lighter, so they won’t weigh down thin, airy fabrics.
The best rhinestone to use for your project depends on what materials you already have and what application technique you’re more comfortable with.
When it comes to choosing from different crystal sizes and colors, you can be as wild or reserved as you want. Use the same crystal sizes and shapes for a more uniform, paved look. Or mix and match shapes and sizes for a dynamic and textured appearance.
Clear crystals always look fabulous on clothing and work with every color, enhancing the garment without changing it too much. For something flashier, you can use a range of colors to contrast the garment or create a bold monochromatic style.
How many crystals you need depends entirely on the project (or projects). Planet Rhinestone offers packs that come with just a few hundred glass crystal rhinestones or kits with thousands of large jelly rhinestones, catering to craft projects big and small. And when you shop with us, you get far more options than at typical craft stores.
Essential Tools and Supplies for Bedazzling Clothes
The adhesive technique you use is important:
- E6000 craft glue: Offers a strong, permanent hold
- Gem-Tac permanent adhesive: Perfect for flexible fabrics
- Heat Application Tools: Irons, heat presses, and rhinestone setters for hotfix rhinestones
Working with these tiny gems is tricky. Even just adding one crystal row beneath another can go awry if you’re using your fingers. Use application tools to help you place them precisely, such as:
- Wax pencils
- Tweezers
- Rhinestone pickup tools
- Gem pickers
For designs that sparkle with creativity, you need to plan out the rhinestone arrangement. Create your design before committing to it using:
- Transfer pencils
- Stencils
- Washable fabric markers
- Mapping patterns
It’s also crucial to set up a clear work surface. Place a piece of cardboard inside your garment if possible. This prevents adhesive from bleeding through and accidentally fusing two layers of fabric. Be sure to use a large, flat surface, laying the garment completely flat while you work.
All these tools and materials can feel like a lot, but Planet Rhinestone makes it easy to get everything you need! Shop complete bedazzling kits that come with the adhesives and tools you need to bedazzle like a pro.
Step-by-Step Process for Bedazzling Any Garment
Follow the detailed step-by-step guide below for how to bedazzle clothes, from prepping the fabric to testing the bond.
1. Prepare the Fabric
Wash your garment beforehand, unless it’s something you don’t plan on washing regularly, such as a denim jacket. Do not use fabric softener or other laundry additives, and dry it however you normally would.
This removes chemical sizing and pre-shrinks the garment, preventing rhinestones from dislodging later when it shrinks.
2. Plan Your Design
Use your design supplies! You can use stencils or templates and washable fabric markers to sketch the design on the garment. Just be sure you know where you want to put rhinestones before you begin using the adhesive.
3. Apply Your Rhinestones
Follow the process below based on what kind of rhinestones you’re using.
Application for Flatback Rhinestones
Apply the glue directly to the fabric, placing small dots where you plan to put the crystals and working in small sections. For example, you can do a small square or a single row of glue dots to start.
Then, using a gem picker tool or wax pencil, carefully place one rhinestone on each glue dot. Apply gentle but firm pressure to fuse the rhinestone to the fabric.
Application for Hotfix Rhinestones
Start by placing a small section or single row of rhinestones on the fabric according to your design plan.
Once you have arranged the rhinestones how you want them, apply heat using even, light pressure. Hold your heat tool against the fabric and stones for 10 to 20 seconds to affix them. The larger the stone, the longer you should apply heat.
4. Dry and Cure
After you’ve secured all your rhinestones to the fabric, let the adhesive dry. Allow the garment to lie flat or hang in a cool, dry, ventilated area for 24 to 48 hours.
5. Do a Test Wash
When the adhesive has cured and dried completely, we recommend performing a test wash on the garment. Turn the clothing inside out before washing to protect the rhinestones.
It’s best to let the clothing air dry, but you can use tumble dry, cool dry, or low heat settings on your dryer.
Popular Clothing Items To Bedazzle
Need some project inspiration? Explore these sparkly ideas for your next project.
Easy Beginner Projects
Start with easy materials for bedazzling, like denim, cotton, or twill. These ideas are good for beginners:
- Add stars to your denim jacket sleeves
- Put your initials on a beanie or baseball cap
- Bedazzle the pocket of your jean jacket
- Put studs on your T-shirt collar
Intermediate Projects
When you feel more confident, play around with bigger designs and trickier garments. Bulky sweatshirts and pants can be harder to work with, but completely worth it. Try these ideas:
- Add rhinestones along the seams of your jeans
- Bedazzle your name on the back of a hoodie
- Create swirly designs on your jean shorts
- Place rhinestones along rips in your jeans
Advanced Projects
For the seasoned bedazzlers, you can experiment with full-garment bedazzling, intricate designs, and much more. Give these a go:
- Bedazzle an entire mini skirt or bodycon dress
- Create sparkly seashells on a cotton tank top
- Recreate a poster on the back of a jacket
- Add stones on bodysuits or corset tops along seams and boning
Design Ideas and Placement Tips
Before you start on your project, we have a few more tips and tricks for you to keep in mind:
- Start with simple designs and strategically placed sparkle so your clothes don’t look like costumes.
- Bedazzle along seams and natural garment lines.
- Balance rhinestone sizes and shapes in asymmetrical looks.
- Combine different crystal sizes, shapes, and colors for depth.
- Avoid placing rhinestones on elbows, knees, and other areas that will bend often.
Most importantly, don’t rush through your project! Beautiful things take time.
Time To Make Your Garments Glitter
Once you know how to bedazzle clothes, you can turn your wardrobe into a wonderland of sparkles and shimmer. With high-quality rhinestones, adhesive, and design tools from Planet Rhinestone, you have everything you need for dazzling looks. Shop our wide collection of glass gems, crystals, and other embellishments to get started!
FAQs
If you have more questions about how to bedazzle clothes, find answers below.
Will rhinestones fall off when I wash bedazzled clothes?
If you bedazzle your clothes properly, the rhinestones should not fall off in the wash. The garment should survive dozens of gentle wash cycles! Strong adhesives, like Gem-Tac or E6000, create permanent bonds.
Can I bedazzle stretchy fabrics like leggings?
Yes! Synthetic fabrics can be tricky, but you can bedazzle fabrics like spandex using a flexible fabric adhesive like Gem-Tac. Try to apply your design to low-stretch areas, such as around your ankles.
Can I remove rhinestones if I make a mistake?
You can try to remove rhinestones by reheating the adhesive with a hairdryer and then lifting them with tweezers. You can also try dissolving the adhesive with acetone or alcohol, but you risk damaging the fabric. These applications are meant to be permanent, so add rhinestones with care.
How long does it take to bedazzle a piece of clothing?
It depends on the size and complexity of your project and your experience. A small, simple design can take an hour or two, while a fully bedazzled piece of clothing can take up to 10 hours and multiple sessions to complete.